Representatives from Denmark and Greenland held a series of meetings on Capitol Hill this week, as President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric suggesting the possible acquisition of Greenland — including by military force.
The diplomatic outreach comes amid growing bipartisan concern in the U.S. Congress, after the Trump administration repeatedly declined to rule out the use of military force should diplomatic efforts to purchase Greenland fail. Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
According to U.S. officials, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to meet Danish representatives next week to discuss Washington’s ambitions regarding Greenland.
Meetings With Key Lawmakers
Danish Ambassador Jesper Møller Sørensen and Jacob Isbosethsen, head of Greenland’s representation, met with Republican and Democratic members of both chambers of Congress, including Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. They also briefed bipartisan congressional staffers.
Rep. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) said the officials expressed openness to discussions that enhance U.S. security while respecting Denmark’s sovereignty, adding he remained confident that diplomacy could produce a “win-win solution” with a close ally.
However, Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) struck a firmer tone following their meeting with the Danish and Greenlandic representatives.
“There is no willingness to negotiate the purchase or transfer of Greenland,” Wicker said, stressing that Denmark and Greenland have made their position unequivocally clear. Shaheen added that there is no basis for negotiations over sovereignty, noting the long-standing alliance between the United States, Denmark, and Greenland.
Bipartisan Pushback Against Trump
Wicker is among several Republican senators breaking ranks with the Trump administration, including Susan Collins, Thom Tillis, and Mitch McConnell, all of whom have expressed opposition to efforts to acquire Greenland.
Isbosethsen reiterated Greenland’s stance, stating clearly that “Greenland is not for sale”, a position consistently reaffirmed by the territory’s leadership as Trump has intensified threats of purchase or forceful takeover.
Growing Alarm Among Allies
Trump’s rhetoric — which has also included threats toward countries such as Colombia and Cuba following the ouster of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro — has alarmed Western allies, raising fears of NATO destabilization.
In response, eight European leaders issued a joint statement backing Greenland, emphasizing that Arctic security must be achieved collectively, in line with NATO cooperation and the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski urged the U.S. Congress to assert its authority, stating that questions of territory, war, and peace fall under congressional responsibility.
Denmark Hardens Its Position
NATO ambassadors also discussed reinforcing the alliance’s Arctic flank during a closed-door meeting in Brussels, as concerns mount over Washington’s posture.
Meanwhile, Denmark has shifted its diplomatic strategy, choosing to raise the issue more openly at the EU level after previously avoiding escalation. According to EU diplomats, Copenhagen is determined to resist U.S. pressure and to underline that Greenland does not wish to become part of the United States.
Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, reaffirmed support for Greenland’s sovereignty and its strategic importance to NATO following a meeting with the Danish delegation.
Danish and Greenlandic officials are expected to continue meetings with U.S. lawmakers through Friday, reinforcing their message that Greenland’s future will be decided by its people — not external pressure.
